“With government’s increasing encroachment on citizens’ natural rights, particularly their right to own and control their own property, the abortion doctor example was really a poor choice to prove a point about the sheriff’s potential role as a constitutional officer,” he reportedly said.

“I would hope that it wouldn’t come to that, as with any situation where someone is in danger, but again, specifically talking about elective abortions and late-term abortions, that is an act that needs to be stopped,” he said.

In prepared remarks published Thursday, New Hampshire House Speaker Bill O’Brien (R) joined the state’s Republican Party in condemning Szabo’s remarks and calling for him to exit the race. “[No] elected official is given the latitude to take the law into his or her own hands and decide he or she knows better than the Legislature and governor what should be enforceable laws,” he said.

About the Author

Stephen C. Webster is the senior editor of Raw Story, and is based out of Austin, Texas. He previously worked as the associate editor of The Lone Star Iconoclast in Crawford, Texas, where he covered state politics and the peace movement’s resurgence at the start of the Iraq war. Webster has also contributed to publications such as True/Slant, Austin Monthly, The Dallas Business Journal, The Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Weekly, The News Connection and others. Follow him on Twitter at @StephenCWebster.